Method and apparatus for contacting films



M. G. YOUNG Filed May 27, 1927 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTACTING FILMS July 3, 1928.

I I I I I I T I I I I I I 4 I 1 ,1

Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN G. YOUNG, OF NORTH CAMBRIDGE. MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MAS- .SACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR- CONTACTING FILMS.

Application filed May 27,

This invention relates to cinematographic films and the likc,-and particularly to a method and apparatus for the printing of such films by imbibition.

In the production of films by inibibition, a dye-wet matrix film, or its equivalent is brought into face contact with a blank film whereupon the blank film absorbs the dye directly into its surface, by imbibition from the wet matrix and under suitable conditions this transfer may be substantially complete.

In effecting such face contact between the films, however, irregularities of contact may occur, due to insufficient or uneven pressure or to the inclusion of foreign substances therebctwecn such as water, air, solids or other matter not entering into or assisting the transmission of the dye from one film to the other. As a result of such inclusions, not only is an imperfect contact obtained between the surfaces, and hence uneven imbibition of the dye by the blank-film, but the impurities may be taken up by the blank to some extent, leaving blank areas in the case of gases, spots in the case'of solids, and blurred patches with irregular margins in practically all cases of this sort.

-The objects of the present invention-are accordingly to provide a method and means for effecting an even and intimate face contact between a matrixsurface and a blank film surface, without inclusion of impuritieswhether gaseous or solid. It is also an object to efiect the uniform distribution of any liquid inclusions, which may be present, in such manner that they shall not affect the imbibition of the dye into the blank. Other objects will appear from the following disclosure.

The method of the invention generally includes the wetting of a matrix film with a suitable dye. removing any excess as by washing in water. and passing the dye-wet matrix and a blank film into registry with each other and into face contact while surrounded by a fluid medium such as water. Preferably contact is effected by drawing the two surfaces continuously along acutely converging paths and forcing them firmly together, upon coming into actual contact.

A typical example of the application of 1927. Serial No. 194.642.

the invention will be described in its relation to the printing of cinematographic films from afilm matrix or matrices by means of the apparatus shown in the ac companying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of the water tank;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-section along line 22 of Fig.1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the films, in association with a conveyor or backing strip which serves to maintain constant the relative dimensions and dispositions of the films.

Referring to the drawings, tank l'is provided with suitable fixed guide pulley 2 and a second guide pulley 3, slightly offset with respect tothe first. A pair of compression rollers 4, 5 are also provided, the lower (4) being fixed while the upper pulley 5 is mounted in a bearing 6, sliding between the vertical guides 7 on the side of the tank. The bearing 6 is also provided with a rod 8 upon which weights 9 may be slipped on or off, as required. The periphery of roller 4 is provided with a resilient surface such as a rubber rim 10, having annular grooves 11 adjacent to its margins; while the upper roll er 5 is provided with similar grooves 12 in its peripheral surface and also with marginal flanges 13 adapted to receive the rim 10 of the roller 4 therebetween (Fig. 2).

A second pair of compression rollers 15, 16 is similarly provided, of which the roller 15 is mounted in fixed position upon the wall of the tank while roller 16 is mounted in a bearing 17, sliding between'vertical guides 18 on the side of the tank and likewise adapted to receive added weights 19 upon an upright. bar 20. The peripheral surfaces or rims of both rollers 15, 16 are cylindrical, and may be resilient as on roller 4. The upper roller is provided withan offset roller 21 mounted upon an arm 22 extending from the bearing 17. A narrow band 23 (having a width equal to the space between grooves 11 or 12, as shown in Fig. 3) passes loosely around both roller 16 and roller 22.

An exit opening 24 is provided in the end of the tank opposite to the nip of the rollers 16, which registers with a, similar opening 25 in the side wall of exit chamber oftank 26 (partly broken away). The aperture 25 thereto is removed if necessar is surrounded by the wall 27 of a vertical box 30 fixed to the inner surface of tank 253. and carrying adjacentto the. lower edge of opening an inverted L-shaped member :28 of which the vertical part is atlixed to the plate by screws 21) and the horizontal member stands horizontal to and with its upper surface 31 in alignment with the opening. A notch 32 is provided transversely of the surface 31. Also mounted above the opening and sliding in the wall 27 of the vertical box is a carrier 33 and roller The roller 34 stands above the transverse notch 32. The outer wall of box likewise has an aperture 35. A fixed roller 36 is mounted below and a floating roller 37. in vertical guideway 38. above the aperture 35.

A flexible backing, such as a metallic band 40 is provided (Figs. 1 and 3) of substantially the same width as the film to be printed, ard with rows of teeth 41, evenly and regularly spaced longitudinally of the film and adjacent to the margins. The backing preferably forms a continuous belt and in one part of its path passes over the pulley 2 and between rollers 4. with the teeth projecting upwardly and fitting into the grooves 12 on the upper pulley, while the butt ends of the teeth. on the lower side of the belt are received by grooves 11 in the lower pulley. Upon passing between the second set of compression rollers 15, 16 the band 23 fits between the rows of teeth 41 and bears upon the upper surface of the backing 40. The backing passes through the apertures 24, 25, between the roller 34 and notch 32, through aperture 35 and thence between the rollers 36, 37.

As thus arranged, and with the backing or belt capable of continually traversing the path as thus defined as a portion of its cycle, the matrix film 44 is drawn into the tank, passed under pulley 3. thence into registry and engagement of its marginal sprocket holes 45 (as usually provided) with the teeth 41 of the hacking, and thence carriedupon the hacking. between rollers 4, 5, and 15, 16. under roller 34, and between rollers 16, 37, as already described. The matrix printing surface is uppermost. The second or blank film 47 is also drawn into the. tank and brought into registry with the matrix film 44, passing under roller 5 therewith, and with its marginal rows of sprocket holes 4 likewise fitting over and engaging the teeth 41 on backing strip 40.

Preliminary to its entrance into tank 1, the matrix film is treated wit-h a dye in such manner as to properly wet the developed surfaces and any extraneous dye adhering The tank 1 is filled with any appropriate liquid, preferably *ate.r 48, free from impurities and constantly circulated as through inlet 4!) and overflow outlet 50. The front of the tank may conveniently be provided with a glass window 51, set into the recess 52 upon washers 5.; and retained in place by washers 54 and strips 55.

In operation, the apparatus as thus are ranged. functions primarily through the positive actuation of the backing strip 411 which moves in the direction of the arrow through the water tank 1. As any given portion of the strip passes under pulley 3 it gradually approaches the under side of matrix film 44 and its marginal rows of teeth 41 succe sively register, pass through and positively engage the marginal sprocket holes 45 therein. As the thus engaged backing strip and matrix film pass between the rollers 4, 5, the teeth 41 pass through and register the same with the blank film 47. As the associated backing strip and matrix and blank films pass between rollers 4, 5, the teeth 41 are permitted to pass through the grooves 11 and 12 thereon while the tilms are forced slightly downward over the teeth 41 and into a continuously advancing line contact.

Since all contacting surfaces have been thoroughly wet. upon entering the tank and come together while subn'ierged beneath the surface, occlusions of dust, air and the like are prevented and the surfaces are preconditioned to form an intimate mutual contact each with the other, with only the surrounding liquid medium intervening. As the surfaces come together the liquid medium is continuously expelled and such as may remain is in the nature of an adsorbed deposit of substantially uniform thickness. Moreover, the water tends to leave the dyecovered areas by which it is displaced and the dye is enabled to pass directly across to the blank and to be adsorbed or imbibed substantially completely thereby.

As the composite strip passes between the rollers 15, 16. the narrow band 23 fits between the rows of teeth 41 and positively presses the blank film into direct pressure contact (regulated by the weights 19) with each other and into firm engagement with the lower portion of the. pins 41, which pass through grooves 15, 16, in the rollers 15, 16, respectively. similar to those in rollers 4 and 5. The matrix tilm in turn is brought into conformity with the surface of the backing strip and all three into parallelism with each other.

Thus united, the composite strip passes through apertures 24, 25 through wall 27 and beneath roller 34 which forces the strip slightly downward and also repels the water from the upper side of the. film. The under (metallic) .side of the backing strip wipes against both sides of notch 32, which restrain the water from escaping on that side of the strip. Thus the film is withdrawn from beneath the surface of the water without appreciable escape of the liquid. The

strip then passes between rollers 36, 37 after which the desired period of contact to complete the imbibition transfer is provided, followed by separating the films in the usual manner.

It will be readily appreciated that other equivalent adaptations of the method and apparatus here described may be made in the practical application of this invention in the several arts. Such modifications and adaptations are, however, to be considered as comprehended by the present disclosure and included within the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like which comprises contacting the matrix or printing surface and blank surface to be printed, while submerged in a liquid medium.

2. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like, which comprises leading the matrix or printing surface and blank surface to be printed into line contact each with the other. successively advancing the line of contact throughout the length of said surfaces, and maintaining a liquid medium surrounding the film surfaces at the line of contact therebctween.

3. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like, which comprises contacting the matrix surface and surface to be printed therefrom, while submerged in a liquid medium, and subjecting the contacted films to pressure.

4. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like, which comprises leading the matrix film and film to be printed there from. into line contact with each other. at an acute angle, and subjecting the same to superposed pressure at the line of contact, while surrounded by a liquid medium.

5. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like. which comprises leading the matrix film and film to be printed therefrom into registry and into line contact with each other, at an acute angle. and subjecting the same to superposed pressure at the line of contact, while surrounded by a liquid medium.

6. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like. which comprises leading the matrix film and film to be printed therefrom into registry with a backing strip and into line contact with each other, at an acute angle and subjecting the same to superposed pressure at the line of contact, while surrounded b v a liquid medium.

7. A method of printing cinenuitographie films and the like which comprises contacting the matrix or printing surface and blank surface to be printed. while submerged in a liquid medium. and thereafter withdrawing the ct'vntacting films from the liquid medium into the atmosphere.

8. A method of printing cinematographic films and the like which comprises contact ing the matrix or printing surface and blank surface to be printed under pressure, while submerged in a liquid medium, and thereafter withdrawing the contacting films from the liquid medium into the atmosphere.

9. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like, comprising means for bringing the matrix surface and surface to be printed therefrom into contact with each other and means for simultaneously maintaining a liquid medium about said surfaces.

- 10. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like comprising means for bringing the matrix surface and blank surface to be printed therefrom into contact with each other, means for simultaneously surrounding the surfaces with a liquid medium, and means for forcing the contacting surfaces into pressure contact with each other.

11. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like comprising means for leading the matrix surface and blank surface to be printed therefrom into line contact with each other, means for ad vanciug the line of contact longitudinally of the. film surfaces and means for simultaneously surrounding the line of contact of said surfaces with a liquid medium.

12. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like comprising means for leading the matrix surface and blank surface to be printed therefrom into line contact with each other, means for advancing the line of contact longitudinally of the film surfaces under pressure, and means for simultaneously surounding the line of contact of the film with a liquid medium.

13. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like, comprising means for leading the matrix film and film blank into registry each with the other, means for fixing the same in registered relationship, means for leading the registered surfaces into line contactwith each other, means for advancing the line contact longi tudinally of the film and means for simultaneously surrounding the contacting portions of said films with a liquid medium.

14. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like, comprising means for leading the matrix film surface and film blank into registry each with the other, means for fixing the same in registered relationship. means for leading the registered surfaces into line contact with each other under pressure, means for advancing the line contact longitudinally of the film, and means for simultaneously surrounding the contacting portions of said films with a liquid medium.

15. Apparatus for the printing of ciner30 matographic films and the like, comprising means for leading the matrix film surface and film blank into registry each with the other hacking means including projections thereon for engaging the sprocket holes in the films and retaining the films in registered relationship and without relative movement thereon, means for bringing the registered surfaces into line contact with each other. means for advancing the line contact longitudinally of the film, and means for simultaneously surrounding the contacting portions of said films with a liquid medium.

16. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic lilms and the like, comprising means for leading the matrix film surface and lilm blank into contact each with the other. backing means including 1:)rojectionsthereon for engaging and registering sprocket holes in the films and retaining the lihns in registered relationship and without relative movement thereon. means for leading the registered surfaces into line contact with each other, means for advancing the line contact longitudinally of the film, means for simultaneously surrounding the contacting portions of said films with a liquid medium, and means for forcing said registered films downwardly over said projections and against the backing.

17. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like, comprising means for bringing the matrix surface and surface to be printed therefrom into contact with each other, means for maintaining a liquid medium about said surfaces, and means for withdrawing the contacted surfaces from the liquid medium and into the atmosphere.

18. Apparatus for the printing of cinematographic films and the like, comprising means for contacting the matrix surface and surface to be printed therefrom into contact with each other, means for malntaining a liquid medium about said surfaces, means'for applying pressure to the contacted films, and means for withdrawing the contacted surfaces from the liquid medium and into the atmosphere.

Signed -by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 11th day of May, 1927.

MELVIN G. YOUNG. 

